Experience a True Northern Christmas
Meet Santa Claus in Lapland and enjoy a snowy winter wonderland
How do the Finns celebrate Christmas?
Everyone knows Santa Claus comes from Finland, but there’s more to a traditional Finnish Christmas than Saint Nick and presents. During the festive season, Finns like to take things slow and enjoy the company of loved ones – with a side of mulled wine and sauna.
White landscapes shrouded in darkness, lit only by stars in the sky and ice lanterns on driveways, set the mood for a cosy festive season. For most, Christmas preparations in Finland start by deciding where to spend it. At home with family is a common choice, but some families rent a cottage or villa in the countryside.
Food also plays a central part in Finland’s Christmas celebrations. Pork roast is the main dish in most households and it’s served with a variety of fish, casseroles and salads. The traditional Christmas Eve breakfast is rice pudding. Later, after a couple of Christmas ales, carols are sung with gusto. At the end of the night, a warm Christmas sauna relaxes one’s body and soul.
Traditional Finnish Christmas food
The Finnish Christmas food traditions vary around the country, but there are still a few staple dishes intrinsic to this wintery feast. An oven-baked ham served with mustard is an absolute must for many, but an assortment of fish is also considered an essential part of traditional Finnish Christmas dinner. Vegetarian courses include a classic beetroot salad and various oven-baked root dishes like the popular rutabaga casserole.
Sweet pastries such as prune jam tarts, spice cakes, and rice porridge are Finnish Christmas delicacies beloved by people of all ages. One of the most cherished tasks of Christmastime is decorating gingerbread, which is often hung from the branch of a beautiful spruce tree.
Glögi – Finnish mulled wine
“Glögi”, a type of mulled wine, is the favoured hot drink at Christmas. It’s usually made out of red wine or red fruit juice mixed with spices like cardamom and cinnamon and served with raisins and almonds.
Ice lanterns – Finnish Christmas decorations
Self-made lanterns are popular Christmas decorations that light up the wintry darkness. Craft an atmospheric lantern of small snowballs, or try making one out of ice. Let a water bucket partially freeze outside, pour the water out from the middle and place a candle or a led light inside the frozen shell. You'll be surprised what a difference a simple lantern can make - a dark Arctic night becomes cosier in an instant.
When is Christmas in Finland?
For Finns, Christmas Eve is the main event of the holidays and the night Santa brings gifts for children. Santa's visit is undoubtedly the most anticipated Finnish Christmas tradition amongst the smallest members of the family. Apart from the delightful number of opening presents, the Christmas Eve traditions typically include drinking glögi, having a Christmas dinner, and bathing in a Christmas sauna. Midnight Christmas mass is a tradition for many. Did you know that Santa lives in Finland?
ALL ABOUT SANTA
With Father Christmas preparing for the season, we spoke with one of his elves to learn more about Santa Claus and a Finnish Christmas
Since Santa is a mysterious fellow, you might want to ask him your questions in person. Travel directly to his home in Lapland, northern Finland, where you can see him for yourself any day of the year!
Understandably you might feel starstruck meeting someone world-famous, but Santa is a very kind soul and is delighted to meet you just as you are.
Who is Santa Claus?
Haven’t had a visit from Santa? You must have been naughty! Only kidding, of course. To Finns, Santa is a jolly fellow and an ambassador of goodwill from Lapland, Finland.
Is Santa from the North Pole?
Don’t be silly – he’s from Lapland, Finland! But he has flown over the North Pole many times, and he says it’s awfully cold.
Where can I meet Santa?
Santa Claus hails from Finland’s mysterious Korvatunturi (“Ear Fell”) in Lapland. But you can meet him in Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa, on any day of the year.
Can I send Santa a letter?
Santa Claus’s personal post office has received thousands upon thousands of letters from children in 199 countries. But because he’s magical, he reads them all! You can send a letter to Santa using this address: Santa Claus, Santa Claus’s Main Post Office, 96930 Napapiiri, Finland.
You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland.
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